Aus Pied Oystercatcher or South Island Oystercatcher [SIPO] (1 Viewer)

Laurie Knight

Well-known member

• Jan 26, 2011

• #1

G'day,

I was photographing waders at a roost [Brisbane] today and flushed a Pied Oystercatcher. The common species is the Australian Pied Oystercatcher [Haematopus longirostris], while the South Island Oystercatcher [Haematopus finschi] is a casual visitor.

As you can see from the photos, the bird appears to have more white in its upper wing panel and more white in its underwing than is the norm for Aus POs. Could this bird be a SIPO or an AusPO - SIPO hybrid?

Regards, Laurie.

 

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nrg800

Nathan Ruser

• Jan 26, 2011

• #2

It has the underwing and Rump of a SIPO, I was going to call it as SIPO, but the Upper-wing in the first picture shows the white not reaching the body. I've never seen a SIPO, but I'd call it a Second Generation Hybrid, more SIPO then APO, but not fully SPIO, it's a Juvenile which are more likely to wander (I think).

Wish I knew more
-Nathan!

 

Last edited: Jan 26, 2011

Lucky Carl

Member

• Jan 26, 2011

• #3

Immature APO?

Hi Laurie,

I heard a few people talk about SIPO's being sighted in SEQ a year or so ago so I did a bit of reading in HANZAB so at least I would be aware of what to look for. There is an interesting illustration of the underwing of the immature APO in flight and it shows a lot more white on the underwing than a mature APO - similar to a SIPO. Let me know if you dont have a copy of HANZAB and I will try to get a copy to you.

Cheers,

Carl Billingham
Taringa, Brisbane.

 

J

johnallcock

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2011

• #4

I can't help with your ID I'm afraid - I have no experience of either species.
Surely these photos show two different birds - a juvenile showing the underwing on the first photo and an adult flying away on photos 2 and 3. Could this be a source of confusion (especially if juveniles show a different underwing pattern)

 

Laurie Knight

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2011

• #5

johnallcock said:

I can't help with your ID I'm afraid - I have no experience of either species.
Surely these photos show two different birds - a juvenile showing the underwing on the first photo and an adult flying away on photos 2 and 3. Could this be a source of confusion (especially if juveniles show a different underwing pattern)

Click to expand...

Yes, you are right in there being two birds. Now that I look again, I can see that the bird in Oystercatcher 1 has an orange bill [with mud on its tip] and Oystercatcher 2 has a red bill and mud on its feet. I have found another photo that was taken 4 seconds before Oystercatcher 2, which I have attached. It shows a clearer white underwing and a bigger upper wingbar.

Regards, Laurie.




Regards, Laurie.

 

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Last edited: Jan 27, 2011

Mat & Cathy

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2011

• #6

Laurie,

Even with that last shot of yours, I don't see any more white on the underwing than on this shot of mine of an Aus PO.

Hard to say with the half-folded wing though.

Cheers
Mat

 

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S

Sookie

New member

• Aug 2, 2011

• #7

I am not exactly familiar with this species, but it does sound to me like it could very well be a hybrid as suggested. I have seen several hybrid breeds in my area, and the description given of the variations in this bird is consistent with those that I have seen. I could be wrong, but I'm going to guess hybrid on this one.